Maula On My Behalf Opened Conversation, In Allusion To Her
Yesterday's Question, By Saying I Had Applied To Mtesa For A
Palace, That I Might Be Near Enough Both Their Majesties To Pay
Them Constant Visits.
She replied, in a good hearty manner, that
indeed was a very proper request, which showed my good sense,
And
ought to have been complied with at once; but Mtesa was only a
Kijana or stripling, and as she influenced all the government of
the country, she would have it carried into effect. Compliments
were now passed, my presents given and approved of; and the
queen, thinking I must be hungry, for she wanted to eat herself,
requested me to refresh myself in another hut. I complied,
spread my bedding, and ordered in my breakfast; but as the hut
was full of men, I suspended a Scotch plain, and quite eclipsed
her mbugu curtain.
Reports of this magnificence at once flew to the queen, who sent
to know how many more blankets I had in my possession, and
whether, if she asked for one, she would get it. She also
desired to see my spoons, fork, and pipe - an English meerschaum,
mounted with silver; so, after breakfast, I returned to see her,
showed her the spoons and forks, and smoked my pipe, but told her
I had no blankets left but what formed my bed. She appeared very
happy and very well, did not say another word about the blankets,
but ordered a pipe for herself, and sat chatting, laughing, and
smoking in concert with me.
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